The past few months we've has several church planters call or come and worship with us.  One was a personal friend who is starting a church in the Myrtle Beach area.  I saw a former student of mine (I taught public school 9 years at the beach) at New
Spring last Thursday.  He came by Friday and spent a couple hours with me asking questions and looking at our theater.  One of
the questions he asked was, "what were your biggest mistakes in the beginning?"  I want to share with you my answer to that question.

1. I didn't dream BIG enough.
I was 110% convinced that God had called me to start this church.  I was 110% convinced this church would do great things.
But what I wasn't convinced of was that God had HUGE plans for 5 Point.  I can remember sharing the vision God had given
me and people would politely smile.  Looking back on it, I should have slugged them for mocking God.  Maybe not, but I should
have listened to God and not others.  I am dreaming HUGE dreams now because we've tasted what God can do.  We just baptized 34 people and have another 15 ready. 

I really thought this building would hold us for years to come.  We need a much bigger building now.  I am 110% convinced we'll see over a thousand people on Easter weekend.  And I believe the majority of them will continue worshiping here.  We need more room.  I am begging God to reveal to me the exact building he has in store for us.

2. I didn't teach on the topic of money.
I was STUPID enough o believe people would give and God would provide.  Make sure you understand what I'm saying.  God has
provided everything we've needed.  Every time I've stood before our people and shared a need, it was done.  Usually that morning.
But I didn't want to run anyone off because we were asking for money.  Basically I was living in sin.  As a teacher of God's Word I am ordained to teach the entire Bible.  Even the part where God's children are to give. 

As many of you know I attended a coaching network with 15 other pastors from the southeast at New Spring.  I heard over and over
how we must teach, preach and celebrate the topic of money.  All I did was run form it hoping God would prick the hearts of his people.  But if that was the case why ever teach God's Word?  We'll just wait on God to prick the hearts of his people.  The problem
is that new believers don't know God's Word. 

In December I started sharing vision and touching on the topic of money every week.  During the Christmas months we had a
record month of giving.  When a economy is failing, we continue to see our giving go up.  Why, because the Pastor finally started
doing his job and letting the people know the truth about money.  My opinion, giving is one of the biggest spiritual indicators if not
the biggest.  When people fall in love with Jesus, they begin to give.

3. I didn't want church people.
From the very beginning I knew we were going to be a church that wasn't about sheep swapping (church people going form one church to another).  In fact, I actually wanted church people to stay away.  BIG MISTAKE!  In our community we have so many people who have been burnt and disappointed by the church.  They are looking for somewhere they can go and feel a part of something bigger than themselves.  In fact, we need people like that.  They have a desire to serve and to give. 

Enough for today.  I'll share some more in the morning.